Control mechanism for coin-controlled machines



April 1, 1930. c. w. NlxoN 1,753,089

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COIN ONTROLLD MACHINES Filed June 7, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l u u- @Media/f; 'Zzjzfw@ Mixm,

is bazar@- April l, 1930. -c. w. NlxoN l CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES Filed June '7, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 haz/zia,

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'Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED STATES FFICE CLIFTON W. NIXON, OF YNEW YORK,V N. Y., ASSIG-NOB/ TO NIKON VENDING AND CHANGE MAKING MACHINES, INC., v015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE CONTROL MECHANISM FOB, COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES Application led .Tune 7, 1927. Serial No.v197,075.

My present invention relates to control mechanism for coin-controlled machines such as combined vending and change-making machines, vending machines and changemalring machines; and in order to demonstrate the utilitj,T and practicability of my invention, I have shown in the accompanying` drawings a preferred embodiment thereof in association with my improved vending and change-making machine, the related parts and mechanisms of which are more fully illustrated in my contemporaneouslypending applications for patents of the United States, Serial Numbers 197,076; 253,410; and 291,824, tiled respectively on June 7, 1927 February l0, 1928, and July 1i, 192s.

A main object of my invention is the provision of a simple and eliicient control mechanism whereby the embodying machine, in accordance with its particular nature and class and upon the deposit therein of the prescribed coin, can be operated to sell merchandise and make change, or to sell merchandise alone, or to make change alone.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an improved carrier structure capable of being produced with a plurality of independently operable units, each of Which may be arranged to receive for its proper operation a different prescribed denomination of coin, the construction and arrangement of the carrier structure and component units lbeing such that under the operation of the carrier structure the enlisted unit, i. e., the one receiving therein the deposited coin, will function to eect the operation of the machine containing the carrier structure.

A further object is the provision of a carrier structure of the foregoing character in which the units are self-cleaning, in Which they may be individually and accuratelyadjusted` and in which they are entirelyk automat-icin their operation, being arranged so that their proper functioning` cannot be defeated by reprehensible methods of operation calculated to procure the delivery of change or merchandise Without making payment therefor.

A further object is the provision of a carrier structure in the form of a connecter through which the power of a single operating handle may be transmitted to a plurality of power receiving elements.

A further object in View is to provide a carrier structure of this character which is so constructed and arranged that the individual units may be designed to accommodate one coin or more than one coin at a time.

It is also Within the province of the present invention to provide an arrangement Whereby the deposited coins will be carried a distance te cash receiving means and there aut-omatically discharged. y

@ther objects Will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and' arrangements of scribed and claimed.

The invention Will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings specification, and in formi ig a part of this which: Y i

Fig. l is a side elevational vievv of, the present improvements. as embodied. in my in'iproved cigarette vending and change-malring machine, parts beingbroken away and parts being shown in section;

F 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken approximately on the line 2 2 of F ig. l;

Fig. 3 is a top plan. view of the carrier with associated parts in section and broken away, this vieiv being taken Von the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. i is a fragmentary plan view showing` the connection between the carrier and dash pot; and

Fig. 5 represents a sectional elevation, looking toward the two dimes unit of the car-v rier, parts being omitted to disclose more fnlly the character of the pull-bar for the parts hereinafter dey fen v fn

carrier structure as well as the members associated therewith.

With more particular reference to the accompanying drawings, the cigarette vending and change-making machine in which l have shown my present improvements as embodied by way of example comprises a cabinet 10 containing a rotary skeleton magazine structure 11 including an upper spider frame 12 with a ring plate 13 on which are mounted a series of change bank units 14, and includingr also a lower spider frame 15 with a ring plate 16 on which are mounted a corresponding series of holders 17 and 17 for containing, respectively, packages of cigarettes and packages matches. For the discharge of the packages of cigarettes and matches into a delivery receptacle 18, there is an ejector n echanism 19 operated through link 20, bell crank 21, line rod 22, ball and socket joint 23, lift line shaft 24, sleeve 25, connecter 26 and bell crank actuator 27 (of which in the present embodiment there are three). Said line shaft 24 at upper portion has loose fit within rotary shaft'28 and the sleeve 25, which is pinned at 29 (Fig. 5) to line shaft 24, has sliding lit on rotary shaft 28, an arrangement which makes it possible, owing to the ball and socket `joint 23, to turn the shaft 28 without effecting the operation of the ejector mechanism 19 and to operate any one of the bell crank actuators 27 without rotating said shaft 28t Each bell crank actuator 27 is operatively associated with coin pusher mechanism 30 by which the correct change is ejected from a change bank 14 into delivery receptacle 31 during the same operation that results in the delivery 0f cigarette and match packages into receptashaft 28 has turning movement.

` cle 18. i Y

The magazine 11 is turned with the rotation of shaft 28 since the upper spider frame 12 is fastened to said shaft; and it is through the turning of the magazine that the holder containing the selected brand of cigarettes and the change bank corresponding therewith are brought into delivery position, so that upon a single operation of any one of the bell crank actuators V27, the selected package of cigarettes, a package of matches,and the correct change, if any change be due, will be delivered to the customer. rlhe generator of the power for rotating the shaft 28 and for operating the bell crank actuators 27 comprises a manually operated handle 32 which is mounted to have rotary movement and depressible movement. Near its inner end, handle 32 turns in a bushing 33 on rocker 34 slidably embracing a bracket in which the Rotary movement is transmitted from the handle 32 to shaft 28 through a pair of interconnected gears 36. Rocker 34 is fulcrumed on bracket 35 at 37 and the depression of the handle 32 causes hooked draw lever 38,- pivoted to said bracket at 39, to move rearwardly and upwardly on an are, this result being attained because a bell crank 40, which is pivoted to said bracket at 41 and to said rocker with a lost motion movement at 42, is pivotally connected through a link 43 with the draw lever 38. A contractile spring 43. suitably connected between a fixed point on the cabinet and the free end of the rocker 34 may be employed as means for repositioning the rocker and handle inthe event the customer, after depressing the handle, fails to move it upward to its elevated position.

The control mechanism,` in its preferred form of construction as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, `comprises a'carrier structure composed of cross pieces 44 and 45 rigidly connected by vertically disposed strips 46, 47 and 48, which are arranged in lengthwise relation. The cross pieces 44 and are equipped at their extremities with Yianged blocks or shoes 49 having sliding fit between guide rails 50, of which as best shown in Fig. 2 there is one pair for each side of the carrier structure. rIhe guide rails 50 `are shown as held in place at their front ends by brackets 51 fixed upon an angle iron 52 on the inner face of the cabinet front 53, and at their rear ends by brackets 54 fixed in a plate 55 extending' across the interior of the cabinet and in which the rotary shaft 28 is j ournaled. The strips 46 and 48, which extend well beyond the position of the rotary shaft 28, carry lateral projections 56; and coil contractile springs 57 connectthe projections 56 with lateral projections 58 on the front brackets 51, whereby the carrier structure is retired against an abutment 59 secured upon the angle iron 52. The central strip 47, much shorter than the strips 46 and 48, has pivoted thereto at 60 the end of a hooked pull bar 61 y adapted to be engaged by the draw lever 38 so as to advance the carrier structure against the tension of the springs 57 to its extreme position when the handle 32 is depressed. In this way the carrier structure is mounted to be drawn to an extreme position from the abutment 59 under each depression of the handle 32.

Associated with each of the strips 46, 47 and 48 is an independently operable coincontrolled unit including a head piece 62 and an action slide 63 cooperating together to form a coin space or pocket open at the top and bottom, both of said parts for this purpose being vertically disposed as shown and flanged as at 64. 1n the present exempliiication, where the coin-controlled units are arranged to accommodate different denominations of coins, a coin space 65 shown in association with strip 46 is for the accommodation of two dimes; a coin space 66 in as' sociation with strip 47 is for the accommodation of a quarter; and a coin space 67 in association with strip 48 is for a half-dollar.

VEachozt the action slides is arranged in-sliding fiatwise contact Withits supporting strip for limited movement toward and away from its cooperating head piece, the preferred i mount-ingy arrangement for each actioni slidey slide in grooves 7l therein alongside the supporting strip. Each action slide is placed under tension by a pull spring 7 2, which connects the pin 68 With a pin 73 iiXed on its supporting strip, so as to be moved automatically toward its head piece andto have clamping action effect on a coin introduced into the coin space whereby in conjunction With its cooperating head piece to sustain the introduced coin, it being observed intl/iis connection that each of the head pieces is provided With a transverse pin 73 for sustaining the introduced coin by engaging its rim.

When the carrier structure is in station position, that is to say, When it is in engagement With the abutment 59, it is necessary to maintain the action slides in set position with the coin spaces adjusted to the precise dimensions necessary for receiving therein the prescribed coins. To this end means comprising stop pins 74 for setting the slides are adjustably arranged in an 'overhead trame plate 75 so as to depend therefrom in positions to be engaged by cooperating stop pins 76 projecting laterally from the action siidcs. rlhis arrangement is such that as the carrier structure is retired to station position against the abutment 59, the pins 7 Gon'engaging with the pins 74 will force the action' slides away from theirk head pieces against the tension of the pull springs 72 and expand the coin spaces to their proper coinreceiving dimensions, and that as the carrier structure is advanced from the abutment 59, disengagin-g the pins 7 6 from the pins 7a, the springs 72 will call the action slides into position to clamp and sustain any coins introduced into the coin spaces. when there are no coins in the coin spaces the spring tensioned action slides, upon advancement of the carrierlstructure from the abutment 59, will move toward their head pieces to the full extent of the end'play permitted in that direction bythe slotsJ S9 so that the hooked draw bars 77 arranged on the action slides cannot be engaged with the hell crank actuators 27 when the carrier is advanced to its vextreme terminal ot' movement from the abutment 59. Y

T he draw bars 77 are fastened to the action slides by pivots 78 and have projecting ears 79 adapted to engage under stop pins 80 whereby to be maintained in position to slip into hooked engagementwith the bell crank Moreover, under this arrangement,V

actuators 27 Whenaowingto coinssustainedin the :coin spaces the action slides are rendered' `eiective Jto-engage the draw barslwith the bell:

crank actuators on the advancement' ofV the carrier to its extreme terminal of movement under thedepression oli-the handle 82.` Each unit, therefore, is arranged to' be rendered effective by a coin for engaging itsdraW bar 77 With-.a bell crank actuator 27;.

It Vvvill beunderstoodromaninspection'oitthe drawings .that each bellcranlsr` actuator is arrangedV to bel pivoted-,during the retiring' movement/of the carrier tovvard the abut-ment 59.; and it is to be observed in this connection that an engaged bell crankkat the ver-y beginningof'its pivoting action, owingito the bur` den' of the parts arranged to be operatedthereby,will cause the connected action slide to `be moved away 'from its'hea-d piece tothe ulleXtent oi the end play permittedin-that direction by the slot 691 so that the sustained coin vvilllbereleased to drop trom-thecoinspace.l Provision is thus made for releasingthe sustained coins at a predetermined place distant from the station Wherevthey arelintroducedy into-the coin spacesi` Under this provision, the station area-Wherethe coinsv are introduced is left clearfon-allslugs, spurious coins etc. Whichareincapable ot entering the coin spaces, to fallupon a slideway leadinggto the outside delivery receptacle 3l.

Duringu the retiringk movement of the` carrier structure tovvardthe abutment 59';y thek engaged draw-bar 77 Yis forcedout of engagement .-Withithe bell crank actuator by a stationary pinSl, but this action does-not occur until after a pushu up pin 82,Which rests onth'e sleeve l25 to risetherevvithunder the power strokeof theibell crank actuator', has

engaged a ledge 83 onengagementfwith thel draw lever.38.\ By this arrangement, the fulll retractile force ofl the sprin'gsf57` is transmitted to the bell' crank actuator momentarily prior to the ydisengagement therewith' of the ldra-W bar 77, with the result that the change i coins, merchandise and matches are discharged `by a quick impulsetransmitted -y through the bell crank actuator to thedischarging mechanisms. The ycarrier p ull bar 611s VVmaintained 1n operative relation With respect to the draw lever 3.81 by means of acamflike rest 84.7Wjth VWhh the ldggy .83 cooperates.V4

Means areprovided for locking the action actuators 27 and thereby operate the machine Without introducing the'jprescribed coin. The means associated with each unit orthis purposecomprises -aI button `key `held 'by a'lspring 86-With the head of the button key in sliding engagement With aA guide piece 187 clivity 89 of the guide piece the spring will thrust the stem of the button key through the aperture 88 and into a keeper aperture 90 in the action slide. This operation takes place as the carrierapproaches its eXtreme terminal of movement; and as the carrier'commences itsretiring movement the guide piece forces the button key in the reverse direction thereby unlocking the action slide. As shown in the drawings, the spring 86 has one end engaged with the button key and is supported at the other end on a post 91 fixed to the strip. The guide piece 87 is supported from the overhead frame plate 7 5.

The head piece for the two dimes unit is preferably mounted for pivoting movement i alongside its strip and is provided with a weighted arm 92 arranged to induce it-s pivoting in order to effect a quick discharge of the twodimes which are sustained within the coin space one mounted upon the edge of the other as shown in Fig. .5. v y

The movements of the carrier' structure may be steadied through the employment of a dash pot or other suitable movement controlling apparatus. In the present exemplication, a dash pot 93 is shown as connected with the carrier, the connections including a'rocker 95 arranged on a fulcrum pin 96 and having its opposite ends operatively connected,respectively, to the piston rod 97 and to a projection 98 o n a cross plate 99 extending between the strips 46 and 48.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that an effective mechanism has been disclosed for transmitting Ymovement fromy an opera-ting handle to mechanism to be operated, and lone which may comprise a plurality of independently operative coincontrolled units, each capable of serving as connecter means fortransmitting motion to mechanism to be operated and each capable of being arranged'to iaccommodate a controlling coin of different'denomination or size. It will also be seen that while the mechanism is of a compactnature it is nevertheless practically self-cleaning, the Vprincipal working parts Yall being relatively thin, vertically disposed, and surrounded by plenteous open space. Although terms such as coin, coins and coin-controlled, are employed throughout this application, it is not intended thereby that the application of the mechanism be limited thereto, as it is pointed out that metallic articles and other piece'smay be prepared as means through which to effect the operation of theunits. 1

While I yhave illustrated and described the preferred Vform of construction for carrying myinvention into effect, this is capable of' variation and modification without departing from. the spirit'of the invention.v I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifica-tions as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: Y

1. Control mechanism of the kind set forth comprising a movable carrier structure; and power transmission means supported thereby including a coin clamping slide and means for varying the position of the slide relatively to the carrier structure consequent upon movement of the carrier'structure.

2. Control mechanism of the kind set forth comprising a lengthwise movable carrier structure; cooperating members adapted to sustain a coin mounted on said structure; one of said members being mounted for automatic movement to vary its position in respect of the lengthwise movement of the structure, consequent upon movement of the structure, said movable member being arranged to have the extent of its automatic movement limited by a coin sustained by said members.

3. In control mechanism of the kind set forth, a movable carrier structure; means associated therewith and therewith movable forming a 'coin space and including power transmission means for varying the size of the coin space and adapted to be controlled by a coin in said coin space, and power receiving means to be moved in conjunction with the movement of said structure adapted to be engaged by said transmission means when the latter is under the control of a coin.

4. In control mechanism of the kind set forth, a carrier structure mounted to travel on guide rails to a predetermined point; means on the carrier structure forming a coin space including a relatively movable slide arranged to be held against retroactive movement by a coin in said coin space; and means on said slide adapted to be interconnected with power receiving means when said structure attains its predetermined point.

5. In control mechanism of the kind set forth, power receiving means, a carrier structure mounted to travel from station position Vto an eXtreme position; means on the struc` ture forming a coin space including a relatively movable slide; a drawing element on the slide adapted to be interconnected with the power receiving means when the structure is in eXtreme position, whereby to move the power receiving means in conjunction with said structure toward station position, said slide being adapted by a coin in said coin space to be held to position for causing said drawing element to be interconnected with the power receiving means.

6. Control mechanism ofthe kind set forth comprising a movable carrier structure; and

a plurality of independently actuable power transmission devices carried thereby, each comprising a coin clamping slide and means for varying the position of the sli de relatively to the carrier structure consequent upon movement of the carrier structure.

7. Control mechanism of the kind set forth comprising a carrier structure including a plurality of strips arranged in lengthwise relation; cross members connecting said strips; head members associated with said strips; slides slidably associated with said strips and cooperating with said head members; means for eecting the operationv of-"said slides relatively to said head members; guide rails; and shoes on said cross members slidably engaging said guide rails. Y,

8. Control mechanism of the kind set forth comprising a movable carrier structure including a strip a cooperating head member and relatively movable slide associated with said strip to form a coin space; and various means for effecting the operation of said slide durin` the movement of said structure including Ilrst an operation to make thfe space of a prescribed coin receiving size, then an operation to establish a clamping action eect, and finally an operation to disestablish the clamping action eect. i

9. Control mechanism of the kind set forth comprising a carrier structure mounted for movement to and from station position and including a plurality of strips; a head member and a relatively movableslide'associated with each strip and arranged to form a coin space thereon; means for effecting t he operation of each slide to make a coin space of prescribed size on movement of said structure to station position; and means for effecting the operation of each slide to insure a clamping action eect on a coin entered in the space on movement of said structure from station position. v

l0. In a coin-controlled machine, the combination with means for producing movement and means for receiving movement, of connecter mechanism comprising a carrier structure arranged to be moved by said movement producing means; a plurality of independently actuable power transmission devices supported .by the structure, each comprising a coin clamping slide and means for causing the' slide to move into position for clamping a coin consequent upon movement of the structure and means on each slide adapted, when a coin is clamped-therebygto interconnect with said movement receiving means to Vmove thefs'ame in conjunction with said structure.

l1. In aY coin-controlled machine, the combination with means forproducing movement and means for receiving movement, ofconnecter mechanism comprising a carrier structure' arrangedto be moved by said `movement producing means; a'coin sustaining unit carried by said structure and including a coin clamping slide and a spring for causing the slidetoclamp a coin in the unit consequent uponmovement of the structure; and means on said slidev for engaging said movement receiving means when the slide clamps a coin, whereby to operate said movement receiving means in conjunctionwith the .movement of said structure.

l2. The combination, in a coin-controlled machine, of a power generator; a plurality of power receivers; a carrier structure arranged tovbe operated by the power generator; a plurality of coin sustaining units, corresponding number with the power receivers, carried by said structure and each unit including acoin clamping slide and means for 'causing the slide to clamp a coin in its unit on movement of said structure; and means arranged on each slide, adapted to f be rendered effective when a coin is clamped thereby, for operating its corresponding power receiver. ,f

13. In control mechanism of the ln'nd set forth,` a carrier structure movably mounted and provided with a supporting strip; a head member and a slide associatedjwith said strip and forming a. coin space; a lost motion connection between said slide and strip establishing for the slide a limit of movement both toward and away from said head member; a

resilient connection urging said slide toward said head member; and means arranged to eii'ect a setting `of said slide at a point between its limits of movement.

14, In combination,` a frame; a carrier structure with a supporting strip mounted on the frame for movementto and fro; a head member associated with said strip; a slide forming a coin space withI said head member and connected with saidA strip to have limited movement toward and away vfrom said head member; a resilient connection urging said slide toward saidhe'ad member; and stop means on said frame arranged to cause the operation of said vslide against the tension of said resilient connection.

l5. In combination, a frame; a carrier structure with a supporting strip mounted on the frame for movement to and fro between a station position and an eXtreme position; ahead member and a slide associated with said strip and forming-a coin space, said slide being connected to have limited movement toward and away from said head member; a resilient connection urging said slide vtoward said head member; stop means on ico said frame arranged to cause the operation o of said slide against the tension of said resilient connection when said structure moves toward station position; and means adapted to function to lock said slide to saidstrip when the structure'moves to its extreme position. o 16. In a coin-controlled machine, the'combination with a :trame provided' with a movement receiving element, of a carrier structure mounted on the frame to have movement to extreme position in relation to the receiving element and provided with a supporting strip having a head member; and a slide forming a coin space with said head member and carryinff a pull bar adapted to cooperate with said receiving element, said slide being associated with said strip to have a lost motion movement toward and away from said head member and arranged to be rendered effective by a coin fin said space'toengage said pull bar with said receiving element on movement of said structure to eXtreme position.

1'?.` The combination, in a coin-controlled machine, of a frame; a carrier structure mounted on the frame Jfor to and fro movement; a head member and a slide associated with said structure and forming a coin space; said slide being mounted with a lost motion connection to move toward and away from said head member; a resilient connection urging said slide toward said head member; and Vcooperating means in connection with said frame and slide to adjust said slide tomake said space of coin receiving size as the carrier structure moves in one direction and to permit said slide to have a clamping action effect on a coin within said space as the carrier structure moves in the opposite direction. 18. In a coin-controlled machine, the combination with a frame and an abutment, of a carrier structure mounted on the frame for movement to and from said abutment; a strip constituting part of said structure and provided with a head member; a slide forming a coin space with said head member and associated with said stripy to have a lost motion movement toward and away from said head member; a resilient connection urging said slide toward Vsaid head member; and cooperating means on saidframe and slide arranged to adjust said slide to make said space of coin receiving size as said structure moves to said abutment and to permit said slide to clamp a coin entered in said space as said structure moves from said abutment.

19. In control mechanism ofthe kind set forth,`a carrier structure mounted for movement to and from station position and including a support; a head member and slide associated with said support and forming a coin space; a lost-motion connection connectingsaid slide for movement toward and awayr romsaid head member; a resilient connection urging said slideV toward said head member; and means for causing said slide to be moved against the tension of said resilient means as said structure moves tostation posit-ion.

20. Incontrol mechanism of the kind set forth, a carrier structure mounted for movement'to and from station position and including a support; a head member and a slide station position sozas .to provide for the clamping of a coin. Withinsaid space by said slide as the carrier structure moves from station position; and means on the slide by -v whichto move it in a direction to permitthe release of the clamped coin. Y

21. In Vcontrol mechanism of the kind set forth, a v.movable Acarrier structure; a head member and la slide associated with said structure to move therewith and forming a coin space; a lost motion connection connecting said slide for movement toward and away from said head member; and means arranged to be called into action during the movement of said structure for securing said -slide against an exercise of its lost motion movement. A t

22. In control mechanism ofthe kind set forth, a movable carrier structure; a head piece and a slide associated with said structure to move"therewithand forming a coin space; a lost motion' connection connecting said slide for movement toward andaway from said head piece; a resilient connection urging said slide toward said head piece ;'and means for y'positively locking said yslide to prevent an exercise of itsy lost motion action against the tension 'of said resilient connection at one point during the movement of said structure.

23. In control mechanism of the kind set forth; a frame; a carrier structure movably mounted on the frame and including a strip; ahead member and a slide associated with said strip and Vforming a coin space; said slide being 'mountedwith a lost motion con- `nection to move relatively to said strip; ,a

spring pressed. button key arranged to interlock with said slide and said strip; and a guide on the frame for controlling'the Jfunctioning of said button key during the movement of said structure. Y 't r1 24. In a coin-controlledmachine, the combination Vwith an abutment and a carrier structure mounted for movement to and from said abutment, of'contractile means arranged to reposition said structure against 'f said abutment after each advancing action; and coin-controlled means mounted on said'structhe action ofthe contractilemeans.

25. Inf combination, in av coin-controlled machine, movement receiving means, an. abutment; a carrier structure mounted yformovement toand lfrom said abutment and including a plurality ofstripsarranged in length- 12| .ture comprisinga coin`clamping slide and CLIFTON W. NIXON. 

